We live in an incredible society and world. There are many and varied thought patterns around us, and we strive to categorize a “norm” from them with which to judge human behavior. We realize there are some at the far ends of the spectrum from this norm, but we are puzzled and amazed (sometimes beyond belief) at the really peculiar behavior and thought patterns of some. As many would say: they are “nuts” (nuts meaning crazy or fouled up in their thinking).

The nuttiest of all

When I try to develop a pattern for “nuts,” I find that there is no nut as nuts as a religious nut. Religion has done more to push the behavior of people over the edge of all that is considered allowable and acceptable than any other form of thinking. Leaders have even declared themselves to be “gods” here on Earth.
As late as 1945, many Japanese considered their emperor to be divine. The early pharaohs of Egypt and Caesars of Rome declared themselves divine. Myriads of kings and other leaders proclaimed themselves to be led and directed by a Supreme Being. In Europe, the royal crowns carried a symbol on the top of the crown that indicated that the king or queen was in their position by divine appointment. The crown of Hungary has a golden cross on top, and Britain has a great jewel as this symbol of divine blessing. The Pope in Rome is said to be appointed by divine guidance. The imams of Islam feel the same about their calling.

Almost all spiritual leaders claim divine guidance and appointment of some sort. Some have sacrificed a great deal to follow what they believed was their destiny and calling from a deity. Most are leaders who are balanced, but some are obvious extremists.
I have seen individuals who do not seem to be seeking personal glory but who wander about proclaiming that they have a message from God. Some are dressed in rags; some wear robes that make them stand out in a crowd. A man in Vienna, Austria, was well known on the main shopping district since he dressed in a white sheet, carried a shepherd’s rod, wore green leaves on his head, and loudly proclaimed doom and gloom for the city and nation. I have no doubt that men like these are reasonably sane and take as their role models the stories of people like Jonah, Ezekiel, Jeremiah, and others who actually did serve God.

The danger of extremes

But some religious nuts that proclaim divine guidance have sent countless people to their early deaths in the name of their belief. The Kamikaze of Japan died for their divine emperor. The Incas of old were among the many pagan religions that designated the most handsome, beautiful, flawless, and young among them to become the sacrifice to the gods. It is usually the youngest and best that die at the whim and order of a religious person who has designed a reason for their sacrifice and proclaimed that reason to be given directly by divine inspiration.
Many Christian leaders of old proclaimed, “letters coming down from heaven” to be the mainstay of their beliefs and statements when they wanted to exert control over people. I do not mean to poke fun at sincere people who believe that what they are doing is pleasing to God; however, when actions defy all logic and when others are hurt by the deeds or words of one who proclaims himself to be guided by God, then I feel they need to be categorized as dangerous—dangerous to themselves and dangerous to others. There are numerous stories of parents who have put their own children to death because they “heard a voice.”

I have met a number of people whose personal life is a mess but who fully believe God has reached out to them with some divine message, which nobody except themselves can understand or know. They feel they have a mission to minister to and correct others. It is interesting to note how many of these types often seek ministers to impress and correct with their divine message.

Hallmarks of Christian fanatics

Religious nuts have ideas that are preposterous and meaningless to all but them. They carry a Bible (or other supposed authority) in their hands to proclaim their authenticity and are an embarrassment to the very words of that holy book.

Paul had much to say about some he met who were far from Christ. In Titus 1:15-16, he wrote, “To the pure, all things are pure, but to those who are corrupted and do not believe, nothing is pure. In fact, both their minds and consciences are corrupted. They claim to know God, but by their actions they deny him. They are detestable, disobedient and unfit for doing anything good” (New International Version throughout). In Colossians 2:18, Paul states, “Do not let anyone who delights in false humility and the worship of angels disqualify you for the prize. Such a person goes into great detail about what he has seen, and his unspiritual mind puffs him up with idle notions.”

What God desires instead

Paul exhorts us in Colossians 3:12: “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.” Humility of the greatest degree is what we need before God. The Bible informs us that we have nothing to offer and our very best is as filthy rags before Him (Isaiah 64:6). With that in mind, a person ought to fear to step forward and serve God without being invited. That invitation should be stronger than just a dream in the night.

The book of Luke records the advice on humility given to one who was invited to a wedding (Luke 14:8-11). Verse 11 states that he who exalts himself will be humbled. Men like Gideon wanted God to show them that He really meant what He said. Many of the men God chose as prophets and messengers resisted that call and even went the other way. Humility will cause a converted person to be very slow to think that God would choose him.

False prophets will always surround us—so says Peter (2 Peter 2:1-3). He wrote that these people will exploit you with stories they have made up. In verse 10, Peter claims that they are bold and arrogant, which becomes obvious the moment you question their credentials. A person who is truly confident will have no concern that someone is questioning him, and even if someone wonders if he has “lost it.” A person who has a false confidence built on his own stories will always react strongly and defensively. The bottom line is that God has given us a book, the Bible, for a guide to show us who speaks the truth and who is just another nut.

For more information on distinguishing God’s true church amidst a world full of religious falsehood and fanaticism, please request our free booklet The Church Jesus Built.